Develop a Kick-Ass Plot!

Written by Lynette Rees


What is a plot?

The dictionary definition ofrepparttar word ‘plot’ relating to a story is:

“The plan or main story of a literary work” [Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary]

Sorepparttar 128470 plot then, isrepparttar 128471 planned storyline.

Some writers fly byrepparttar 128472 seat of their pants, not knowing where they are going or how they will get there, whereas, other writers would never dream of writing a story or a novel without some initial planning.

If you were about to take a journey to a strange place, wouldn’t you think it would be wise to plan how you would get there, rather than leaving things to chance? Here, I'm going to share my secrets with you of how to develop a kick-ass plot!

Do’s and Don’ts of plotting a novel:

* Do think about your characters. Aim to find out as much as you can about them beforehand. Character drives plot.

* Don’t rush in without any forward planning, that is a sure fire way to give up atrepparttar 128473 first hurdle!

* Do ensure that you know and fully understand your characters’ motivations.

* Don’t rely on coincidences; you will be cheatingrepparttar 128474 reader!

* Do ask yourself, what isrepparttar 128475 theme of my story/novel? By understanding whatrepparttar 128476 theme is, you are more likely to understandrepparttar 128477 motivation of your characters.

* Don’t write any ‘next step scenes’ that do not advancerepparttar 128478 storyline, end in a hook torepparttar 128479 next scene, do not moverepparttar 128480 characters closer to their goals, do not contain reasonable motivation or deepen characterization.

* Do think about creating character charts, back stories for main characters, a story board with ‘pictures’ of your characters and settings.

Ask yourselfrepparttar 128481 following questions:

1.What do I want my novel to say? [Theme]

2.Which character is best able to say what needs to be said? [Characterization]

3. How can this message be conveyed torepparttar 128482 reader? [Storyline]

4. Where isrepparttar 128483 action going to take place? [Setting]

Here’s an example:

It's All From the Point of View

Written by Theresa Chaze


It’s all fromrepparttar Point of View By Theresa Chaze

Point of view is one ofrepparttar 128468 most important aspects of writing and isrepparttar 128469 most common of all writing mistakes. Its purpose is to directrepparttar 128470 readers attention whererepparttar 128471 writers wishes it to go. There are three classifications of point of view: first person, omniscient, and third person. Each classification has its own benefits and rules, which limitrepparttar 128472 writer but also add depth torepparttar 128473 story and flush outrepparttar 128474 characters. When determining what type of point of viewrepparttar 128475 writer will be working from she/he must first consider what kind of feel she/he is looking for inrepparttar 128476 story. First person is more intimate, yet it is also very limiting. The omniscient point of view sees all, yet feels nothing; there is no connection torepparttar 128477 characters or reasons behind their actions. Third person is a combination ofrepparttar 128478 first two; third person is different from first byrepparttar 128479 pronouns used and how much information is available. While first is limited to what one character sees, feels and knows, third is a step backward to also include what is happening aroundrepparttar 128480 character. The information can be included even ifrepparttar 128481 character isn‘t aware ofrepparttar 128482 situation. Ifrepparttar 128483 writer was looking for action thriller, omniscient or third would berepparttar 128484 best point of view to work from; however ifrepparttar 128485 writer was looking to explorerepparttar 128486 inner workings of a character, first person would giverepparttar 128487 readerrepparttar 128488 inside access to what, why and howrepparttar 128489 character thinks. First person is a story told fromrepparttar 128490 main character’s point of view. I and me arerepparttar 128491 main pronouns. The benefits include intimacy and a very full character development. The reader gets to know exactly what motivatesrepparttar 128492 character--allrepparttar 128493 loves, fears, hopes, and thinking process. However it is very limited. Action that happens outside ofrepparttar 128494 character’s knowledge is only known if another character sharesrepparttar 128495 information. One character is known very well, howeverrepparttar 128496 others are only seen throughrepparttar 128497 main character’s perspective. For example, ifrepparttar 128498 main character is paranoid, she or he could seerepparttar 128499 others evil or a threat and act accordingly. This may not be true. But told inrepparttar 128500 first person,repparttar 128501 reader would never knowrepparttar 128502 true motivations or actions ofrepparttar 128503 other characters. Omniscient point of view is told from outside of allrepparttar 128504 characters. There is no personal involvement. Pronouns are she, he, or they. What happens and when arerepparttar 128505 only detailsrepparttar 128506 reader is given. It is like watching a movie. If omniscient has been chosen, everything is visual. If a character laughs or cries,repparttar 128507 reader is told what they are doing, but not why they are doing it. Usingrepparttar 128508 same example,repparttar 128509 character could be shown staring at others and being hostile when approached. The reader wouldn’t know why, only that character is angry and aggressive when approached. Third person point of view is described as having an angel sitting onrepparttar 128510 character’s shoulder. The angel knows whatrepparttar 128511 character is feeling, thinking and seeing, but is also aware what is happening aroundrepparttar 128512 character even ifrepparttar 128513 character doesn’t know. Once againrepparttar 128514 pronouns are she, he, or they, but in this case when referring torepparttar 128515 thoughts ofrepparttar 128516 main character I or me can also be used. Inrepparttar 128517 third person,repparttar 128518 reader would know thatrepparttar 128519 character thinksrepparttar 128520 others are out to harm her or him, howeverrepparttar 128521 angel onrepparttar 128522 shoulder would objectively showrepparttar 128523 others’ actions. The reader would then know ifrepparttar 128524 others were actually out to getrepparttar 128525 main character or if it was just a delusion.

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